Microbiology Major (B.S.)

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Major code BS0411

College of Arts and Sciences
Biological Sciences Department
Irvine Hall 107
Phone: 740.593.2290
Fax: 740.593.0300
biosci@ohio.edu
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/biosci/

Robert Colvin, contact person
colvin@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Biological Sciences provides a program for undergraduate majors who are interested in microbiology. This program provides the necessary background and extensive lab experience to pursue a variety of careers in the areas of: research and product development (e.g., immunology, vaccines, antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology), food and water quality control, microbial ecology, and clinical laboratory science. Graduates of this program are also prepared for further graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, microbiology, or molecular biology. With renewed need for food and water quality control, increased retirements in the clinical laboratory science profession, many jobs in the biotechnology industry and the need to develop new antimicrobial agents, the career opportunities are very good.

Students in this program are encouraged to participate in research opportunities their junior-senior years to prepare for a successful career in research and development.

Admission Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Freshmen who would like to declare any Biology major must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20, equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later), or a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1 to enter these programs. Students who do not meet this criterion may still earn admission to Ohio University but will not be able to enter any of the Biological Sciences majors directly. After admission to Ohio University, students may transfer into a Biological Sciences major if they have earned a grade of “C” or better in both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 and have a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 at Ohio University.

Change of Program Policy

Current Ohio University students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 with a minimum accumulative Ohio University GPA of 2.5.

External Transfer Admission

Transfer students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in the equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700 and BIOS 1705 with a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 from their previous institution.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Graduates of this program are also prepared for further graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, microbiology, or molecular biology. With current interest and advances in molecular biology and genetics, emerging pathogens, such as HIV and food-borne illness, the career opportunities and outlook are very good.

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Requirements

Major Hours Requirement

The microbiology major requires a minimum of 125 hours.

Universitywide Graduation Requirements

To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the A&S - College Level Requirements (A&S CLR) .

Biological Sciences Requirements

Complete a total of 38 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including all of the requirements below. Note: 1000- and 2000-level courses not specifically required by the major will not count toward the BIOS hours requirement, but they may be used to fulfill University graduation requirements.